It is amazing that the very people we shun and
try so hard to stay away from because they don't
look just right or sound like our kind of people are
the very people that Jesus sought out and wanted
to interact with...
I have had that thought in my head for almost
two weeks and wondered why...
I recently had a chance to see why and came to
to the realization that as we give ourselves over
to God the people He decides to send our way
might not always fit into our "comfort zones"
of sociably correct.
But loving Him gives us the great gift and privilege
of being able to demonstrate what His love looks like
from our reactions to their needs...
Our main goal in loving others is that they should see
the love of Christ shining in us.
God will always take care of the rest when we're
confident in His love.
Amen. I went on a week-long mission trip to the Navajo nation in Gallup, New Mexico a fwe times. We presented a week-long Vacation Bible School (with huge decorations). If the reader knows anything about the Navajo nation there, it is most likely the closest to a third-world country you can get to stateside. The majority live in hogans, trailers or tents without electricity. They are definitely surviving, but we working-class Americans wouldn't call it much of a life. We passed out 50 flyers, and had over 100 by the end of the week. People walking for miles just to come hear the gospel.
ReplyDeleteMany of these are the kind of people who are wearing worn down clothes, and don't get the chance to bathe often. We might "shun" them if they knocked on our doors. Here is what I noticed, though.
We passed out over 1,000 flyers in a city for a VBS. We got 2 who showed up due to the flyers. We passed out 50, and got over 100. You are 100% accurate in what you stated here. Jesus wants us to reach out to all who cross our path, and whose path we can purposefully cross. Great post!
The experience you had with the Navajo VBS is truly awesome. How exciting to be a part of a VBS which truly reaches out to kids who are apparently hungry to learn about Jesus.
ReplyDeleteIt is so true that we too often judge people from our first impression of how they look. God help me to NOT be this kind of person. I want to see people through the eyes of Jesus living in me. I want to see people who need Jesus SEE Jesus in me.
Just think - if each of us would strive to treat others as we want others to treat us (remember - the Golden Rule) - what a wonderful difference Jesus could make in the lives of others through us. And isn't that what it is all about?
We are left on this earth as believers to share Jesus with others, not to be fashion police. Jesus looks on the inside. I want Jesus to see in me a heart for others and a love to share with anyone who wants to know more about Jesus and what He has done for me.